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Official Number:                       128502

Laid down:

Builder:                                   Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co., Willington Quay

Launched:                               7 January 1909

Pennant No:                            Y.3.283

Into Service:                           WW1

Out of service:                        10 August 1917

Fate:                                     Damaged by gunfire & sunk under tow

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW1 to augment the ships of the RFA

Career Data:

7 December 1909 launched by Tyne Iron Shipbuilding Co., Willington Quay as Yard Nr: 167 named BOVERTON for Dunraven Steamship Co Ltd., (H Radcliffe, Manager), Cardiff

11 December 1909 the Lloyds List newspaper reported …

February 1910 completed as DUNRAVEN

WW1 requisitioned for Admiralty service, initially as a collier – name unchanged

20 June 1916 at Scapa Flow alongside HMS DEVONSHIRE coaling ship and supplying 190 tons of coal

1 July 1917 became a Decoy Ship and also operated as BOVERTON

8 August 1917 damaged by gunfire and a torpedo hit from the German Submarine UC71 west of Ushant and was taken in tow by HMS CHRISTOPHER. Seaman Alexander S Morrison RNR was killed

10 August 1917 sank while under tow in the English Channel

20 November 1918 following the action of the 8 August 1917 Lieutenant Charles G Bonnor RNR and Petty Officer Ernest H Pitcher RN were both awarded the Victoria Cross. Petty Officer Pitcher’s award was by ballott. The awards were announced in the London Gazette of the 20 November 1918  

Lieutenant Charles G Bonnor VC DSC RNR

Petty Officer Ernest H Pitcher VC DSM Croix de Guerre, Medaille Militaire